Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis, center, drives against is fenced in by Clippers guard Austin Rivers, left, and forward Tobias Harris during the second half of Tuesday’s game in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis, center, drives against is fenced in by Clippers guard Austin Rivers, left, and forward Tobias Harris during the second half of Tuesday’s game in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bulls guard Cameron Payne, left, drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers guard Sindarius Thornwell during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts as he watches his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers watches his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams points after he made a 3-point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Chicago. The Clippers won 112-106. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Seventh in the Western Conference, the Clippers struggled to put away a rebuilding team going with younger players while eyeing a lottery pick. But they did just enough on the opener of a three-game trip.

With the next two at Houston and Oklahoma City on Thursday and Friday, they needed this one.

“The approach is to win,” Harris said. “The approach is to go out there and compete every single night. Go out there and collect wins. Obviously, in the situation we’re (in), the margin of error is very slim so we have to be ready at all times.”

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It was four-point game with about five minutes left in the third when the Clippers went on a 14-4 run that bumped the lead to 14 early in the fourth.

Austin Rivers started it with a 19-footer, and Williams broke for a layup off a missed 3-pointer by Chicago’s Noah Vonleh. Montrezl Harrell drove for a layup just under a minute into the fourth, making it 92-78, and the Clippers maintained the lead the rest of the way.

“Right now, it’s about us getting better as a unit and prepared for the playoffs, and that is us paying attention to coverages on both ends of the floor and staying locked in,” Jordan said.

Bobby Portis led Chicago with 19 points and nine rebounds. Kris Dunn added 18 points and six assists. But with Lauri Markkanen sidelined by lower back spasms, the Bulls lost for the eighth time in 11 games.

“We’re young, we’re trying to figure (out) who we are as a team,” Dunn said.

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

The Bulls were up by two in the closing minute of the first half when Zach LaVine and Coach Fred Hoiberg got called for technicals, upset there was no foul called against Sindarius Thornwell as he blocked a dunk attempt. Williams hit the technical free throws and two more foul shots to send the Clippers to the locker room with a 62-60 lead.

LaVine had a rough night, with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting. Hoiberg thought he was slow at times getting back on defense because of his frustration on offense. But on the blocked dunk, he made one thing clear.

MARKKANEN OUT

Though Hoiberg said it felt “really good” in the morning, it acted up in the weight room before the game so the Bulls scratched him from the lineup.

TIP-INS

Clippers: The Clippers were 30 for 41 at the line, matching a season high for free throws made and setting one for attempts. The Bulls, by comparison, took 15 foul shots. … Williams hit 13 of 14 free throws. … L.A. has won five in a row against Chicago, including two games this season.

Bulls: With Markkanen sidelined, Vonleh started and had eight points and seven rebounds. … LaVine was 3 of 13 from the field with 10 points. … The Bulls shot 7 for 29 from 3-point range.

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